Prediction: Parma vs Cagliari

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to finish off the job and punch their Serie B play-off final ticket, Cagliari will travel to the Stadio Ennio Tardini on Saturday night when they meet Parma for their second-leg showdown.

Parma

Starting with the hosts, suffering that infamous second-half collapse earlier in the week, Parma know that they missed out on what was a golden opportunity. Eventually slumping to a 3-2 loss after shipping a trio of goals in the final 22 minutes, Fabio Pecchia’s men now face a phycological test on Saturday night. Watching their three-match winning run come to an abrupt end, the Crusaders will undoubtedly be glad to make a return to home soil here. Eventually breezing their way to another play-off spot this season, the former Verona boss has seen his side gain a real reputation for their continued success at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Last seen in front of their own supporters picking up a lively 2-1 victory against Venezia on May 19th, Parma have won each of their previous four appearances in Emilia-Romagna since returning from March’s international break.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury issue and not making a single appearance since the start of April, Lautaro Valenti will not feature here. However, in what could be a real boost for Parma this weekend, 21-year-old Drissa Camara will make his return from a one-match suspension.

Finding the net at the Unipol Domus in midweek and now notching five goals in his last seven appearances, Adrian Benedyczak will spearhead Pecchia’s charge here.

Cagliari

As for the visitors, mounting that famous second-half comeback at the Unipol Domus earlier in the week, Cagliari are simply looking to finish off the job here. With the mood in Claudio Ranieri’s camp at a red-hot high heading into Saturday night, the former Leicester boss has now seen his squad win each of their last six straight appearances against Serie B opposition. Making it clear that a top-flight return was at the very top of their agenda in 2023, the Islanders have also continued to shine with their free-scoring performances in the final third. With their extended purple patch highlighted by a 5-0 romp away at Perugia when opening May, Cagliari have notched 15 goals on that five-match winning run. Likely to still be excited by that remarkable second-half flurry from a few days ago, Ranieri’s side are more than aware that they sit in pole position here.

Team News

All missing out in the first-leg with respective injury issues, Cagliari will be without the trio of Filippo Falco, Elio Capradossi and Luigi Palomba.

Notching eight goals in his last seven meetings against Serie B opposition, Gianluca Lapadula will spearhead Ranieri’s attack. Coming off the bench and bagging that famous first-leg brace earlier in the week, 21-year-old Zito Luvumbo could be handed a full recall here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their first-leg showdown a few days ago, Cagliari secured a stunning 3-2 victory at the Unipol Domus.
• Saturday’s guests have won each of their last six straight meetings against Serie B opposition – a run that has seen them muster 15 goals.
• Parma have won each of their previous four Serie B matchups at the Stadio Ennio Tardini by an aggregate score of 8-3.
• Cagliari have lost just a single Serie B showdown on their travels since way back on February 3rd.
• Each of the last four straight meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Mounting that remarkable first-leg comeback at the Unipol Domus earlier in the week as they eventually claimed an action-packed 3-2 win, Cagliari will be desperate to finish off the job on Saturday night. In the midst of a stellar six-match winning run and really finding a clinical edge in the final third. neutrals could be treated to another action-packed showdown here. Producing a five-goal thriller in midweek, chances could come thick and fast here. After backing both teams to finding the net in their first-leg battle, a similar outcome at the Stadio Ennio Tardini can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet